Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins, Legislators Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Enshrine Right to Abortion, Contraception

June 8, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), along with Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Legislative colleagues, and in partnership with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and NARAL Pro-Choice California announced today that SCA 10 – an explicit constitutional right to abortion and contraceptives – has been introduced in the California State Senate.

Legislative Leaders Announce 2022-23 Joint Budget Agreement

June 1, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), and Senate and Assembly Budget Committee Chairs, Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), announced a Legislative budget agreement that will deliver prosperity and strengthen the future by putting California’s wealth to work.

Major Legislative Package to Fight Climate Change Passes State Senate

May 26, 2022

SACRAMENTO - SB 1020, the Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022 passed the Senate today by a vote of 30 to 8. The legislation will enhance the state’s ability to meet the urgent challenges of climate change, adaptation, and resiliency through an equitable lens. It is authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), and Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles).

Senate Leader Atkins’, Senator Dodd’s Bottle Recycling Bill Passes Senate

May 25, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Legislation written by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) to add wine and distilled spirits bottles to California’s recycling program passed the California State Senate 39-0 and now moves on to consideration in the Assembly.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Bill to Expand Abortion, Reproductive Care Access Passes Senate

May 25, 2022

SACRAMENTO – SB 1375, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ (D-San Diego) legislation to increase access to affordable, quality abortion and reproductive care in California, was passed today by the California State Senate, moving the opportunity for more trained and qualified nurse practitioners to provide abortions without the supervision of a doctor one step closer to becoming law.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Bills to Protect San Diego River Watershed, Military Families Pass Senate

May 24, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate has passed two bills authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that will strengthen the San Diego region – SB 1027 to augment protection of the San Diego River watershed, and SB 1041, which would help military service members and families by making permanent a sales tax exemption for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Ruling Regarding Women on Corporate Boards Law

May 16, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement about the court ruling in regard to California’s historic SB 826, which Pro Tem Atkins jointly authored with former Senator Hannah Beth Jackson in 2018:

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Issue Statement on Governor’s Revised 2022-23 Budget Proposal

May 13, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee, released the following statement today on Governor Gavin’s Newsom’s revised 2022-23 budget proposal:

Senate Leader Atkins, Senator Skinner Issue Statement Regarding Early Highlights of May Budget Revision

May 12, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statement regarding early highlights of Governor Gavin Newsom’s May budget revision:

Senate Leader Atkins’ ‘California Dream for All’ Program to Help First-Time Homebuyers, Address Housing Affordability

May 11, 2022

SACRAMENTO – An innovative new program aimed at helping first-time homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership will be heard in Senate Budget Subcommittee 4 on State Administration and General Government today, marking the first time that details about the California Dream for All program, led by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), have been unveiled.